Moderate wine consumption may lower risk of cognitive decline

The consumption of different alcoholic beverages and the cognitive decline at middle age was investigated in a Dutch study. Only moderate red wine consumption was associated with a lower decline in cognitive function among middle-aged men and women.

DementiaDementia is a form of cognitive impairment where an individual loses the ability to think rememb... is one of the most common neuro-degenerative disorders. Rapid cognitive decline over time increases the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s diseaseAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is a form of dementia. AD and other types of dementia are most common in .... There is no treatment at present that can stop the progress of dementia. To postpone or prevent cognitive decline and eventually dementia at old age, intervention is already required at middle age. A beneficial effect of moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages on cognitive function has been suggested. Results of the present study in 2613 men and women showed that moderate red wine intake was associated with the least decline in cognitive function over a 5-year follow-up period. This was the first study to show that – already at a relatively young age – moderate red wine consumption is prospectively associated with a smaller decline in cognitive function.

Nooyens AC, Bueno-de-Mesquita HB, van Gelder BM, et al. Consumption of alcoholic beverages and cognitive decline at middle age: the Doetinchem Cohort Study. Br J Nutr. 2014 Feb;111(4):715-723.